Blossom De Mai gives 'late bloomer' a first winner

Late-comer to riding Conor Owens (26) registered a first winner today, steering Blossom De Mai (22/1) to a poignant Tramore success for his employer trainer Philip Rothwell in the Book A Table For New Years Handicap Hurdle.

A bumper runner-up on debut, the six-year-old mare was unplaced in eight subsequent hurdle outings but today, backed from 66/1 this morning, arrived from off the pace to lead in the closing stages and beat runner-up Magic Conqueror

Rothwell reported “that's a huge, huge winner as Felix Byrne was a huge part of the syndicate but passed away a few months ago. This is the first time the mare has got to run since he passed away.

“Felix absolutely loved racing and it was his first time to be involved in a horse. His wife Veronica is still involved in the syndicate and I'm so, so pleased for her. Felix would have loved this moment and I would have loved giving it to him, but it wasn't to be.

“I hope Veronica gets a great kick out of it.”

He added “Blossom De Mai promised a bit last year but went off the boil. We weren't quite sure why, so we gave her a good long break and I promised the lads there was something there with her. I told them I thought she had a place chance at 66/1 and so this is fantastic.

"I thought taking half a stone off (with Owens's claim) on the ground was a good idea and it was fairly straightforward. Conor is full-time with me, he is improving a huge amount and is reasonably good to listen. I'd say he is a chap that is definitely going to go places."

Delighted Owens added “I'm 26 so am late in riding my first winner but only started race-riding a year ago when I joined Philip's. I was with Willie Mullins previously and only started riding horses three years ago — I'm a late bloomer.

“I started out with Jim Bolger working with yearlings on his farm near my village in Rathvilly but all my work was done on the ground, where I learned basic horsemanship skills.

“I went to Australia, returned home, did only a few riding lessons and when Willie (Mullins) was looking for riders, I stupidly went in! I got ran away with riding my first lot but it grew from there and this is an unbelievable feeling.

“On bits and bobs of her (Blossom De Mai) form she definitely had a chance off a light weight and thankfully she was able to come and pick the other horses up.”

Quotes from Donal Murphy